Anwar to reveal 'list'

Source Straits Times

KELANA JAYA - THE list of Barisan Nasional MPs who are crossing over to the opposition Pakatan Rakyat alliance will be announced on Thursday, its de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has promised.

Addressing more than 10,000 people gathered at the Kelana Jaya Stadium for the PR's Malaysia Day celebration on Wednesday night, he reiterated that the opposition coalition was poised to take over the Federal Government.

'We have the numbers and we are ready. Tomorrow (today), we will announce it,' he said.

At a hastily-called press conference later, he said he had asked to meet Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to discuss a peaceful transition.

Earlier, a slew of PR leaders and non-governmental organisation heads took to the podium to warm up the crowd for Datuk Seri Anwar, said The New Straits Times on Thursday.

Among the speakers were DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Pas secretary general Kamaluddin Jaafar. Also present were PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and other senior PR leaders.

Mr Lim said it did not matter if the transition of power happened today or on another day, as the people had already decided that there was a need for change in the government.

'Anwar a threat to security'Hitting out at Mr Anwar's claim to seize power, Datuk Seri Abdullah on Wednesday said that Mr Anwar has become a threat to national security and the economy due to his lies.

He said the opposition leader had spread false information overseas about the country's economic stability and this has scared away foreign investors.

'The country still receives foreign direct investments and is one of the countries which foreigners want to invest in. Even our competitiveness ranking improved from 23rd to 19th position,' said Mr Abdullah.

'So what is he saying? He is exploiting the trust the people have in him by saying all these, which is not helpful,' he said, adding that 'although there was no tremendous economic development, the country still had made significant progress'.

Later, speaking to reporters at his office with his deputy Najib Tun Razak next to him, Mr Abdullah said Mr Anwar ignored positive developments in the country.

Asked how the Government would act, Mr Abdullah said he could not say yet but gave an assurance that any action would be in the best interest of the people and country, reported The Star.

On Mr Anwar's letter to him, Mr Abdullah said it only touched on national security, the leadership and problems on morality and politics and did not mention the transfer of power to the Opposition.

Mr Abdullah reiterated that he would not meet Mr Anwar.

Mr Najib, who also chairs the Cabinet Committee on Investment, said the investment rate this year was higher than last year and revealed that the Government had approved two big investment projects on Wednesday.

'We know that Anwar is not able to deliver a lot of his promises and will continue to lie to the people on the contents of his letter to the PM, so please don't hold to his promise too much,' he said, hoping that the people would not be victims of his 'game'.